Looking at the infinitely tiny To obtain infinitely greater results.

1 nanometre = one millionth millimetre (one thousand-millionth of a metre) 10 times the size of a hydrogen atom, slighter bigger than a small molecule. On this dimensional scale, the physical, chemical and biological behaviour and characteristics of the material change drastically and present surprising properties. This is exactly what nanotechnologies do: explore matter with resolutions greater than one thousand-millionth of a metre up to interacting with a single atom.

Observing nature has taught us about its ability to recreate itself up to the finest level i.e. atoms. Here are some examples.

Lotus plant

Thanks to the particular structure of the molecules on the surface of its petals, water droplets bead up on the lotus plant leaves and wash away any dirt. By observing the “lotus effect”, new products have been designed such as special paints for exteriors or impermeable textures.

Venus Flower Basket

It is a small, fascinating sponge with a delicate network structure. Tiny elementary components of silicon dioxide (3nm in diameter) connect its cells in wafer-thin layers making it capable of withstanding significant variations in pressure. This phenomenon, known as biomineralization, forms the basis of research for new materials such as ultra-thin and resistant porcelain. When their dimensions come close to a nanometre, the particles take on new proprieties. Always. In nature and in laboratories. Unique characteristics that can be exploited through special processes. This explains why the range of potential fields for applications is so vast: electronics, health, transport, energy, research for new ultra-light, high resistance, high thermal rating or environmentally-friendly materials, treating surfaces for textiles, ceramics, metals…

Interior design

Interior design materials require a number of key characteristics: solidity, resistance to impacts, scratches, and corrosion as well as aesthetic and performance characteristics that make the surfaces attractive and sophisticated. On a nanometric scale, all these properties - mechanical resistance, conductivity, elasticity, hydro-repellence, optical properties, anti-reflective or anti-scratch – can be designed to create new types of materials. Zero fingerprints, zero scratches, zero stains. FENIX NTM resulted from this research.

Always just like new

With heat, a small scratch on furniture featuring FENIX NTM can be repaired. This is also a small nanotechnology miracle. A rewritable dvd is based on the same principle: a laser impulse provokes a thermal shock that makes the particular coating of the dvd change from being “crystalline” to “amorphous”. Solid materials can come in different forms: in a crystalline state, with the atoms evenly spaced, or in an amorphous state, with atoms distributed unevenly. However, as a result of the heat there can also be a transition from an amorphous state to a crystalline state and vice versa.